Apple has discounted the iPod touch, nano, and classic models ahead of its music-themed event that will serve as a launchpad for the next-gen iPod hardware with better features. Current-gen iPods are now more affordable than ever, with the high-end iPod touch seeing the largest price drop, undercutting even the upcoming Zune HD.

A quick checkup at the U.S. online Apple store reveals that the company shaved a noteworthy sum off every iPod model, except the diminutive iPod shuffle which remains a $79 value. The new price points, effective immediately, enables savings ranging from the modest ($20 for the iPod classic), to the eyebrow-raising ($40 for the 16GB iPod nano) to the no-brainer (a whooping $120 for the 32GB iPod touch).

It appears that new price points are effective only in the U.S. online store because Apple’s international stores were still showing older prices at press time. New prices are as follows:

8GB iPod touch is now $189, down from $229, a $40 saving

16GB iPod touch is now $249, down from $299, a $50 saving

32GB iPod touch is now $279, down from $399, a $120 saving

8GB iPod nano is now $129, down from $149, a $20 saving

16GB iPod nano is now $149, down from $189, a $40 saving

120GB iPod classic is now $229, down from $249, a $20 saving

Christian’s Opinion

New price tags could alter the competitive landscape in the touch-based media player arena. As a result, the high-end 32GB Zune HD is now a tougher sell: Previously a $100 more pricier than the $290 32GB Zune HD, the $279 32GB iPod touch is now $11 cheaper. The fact that Apple shaved a whooping $120 off the 32GB iPod touch (previously $399) and the $11 difference against the 32GB Zune HD should, Apple hopes, steer away potential buyers from the 16GB Zune HD. There’s a good reason for that since the discounted $249 16GB iPod touch is still a $30 pricier than the $220 16GB Zune HD.

The 8GB iPod touch that’s now priced at $189 has partially confirmed yesterday’s speculation that Apple could bring down the price of its least capacious touch-based iPod to just $149, cracking open a whole new lucrative market. In fact, if you don’t mind used products, Apple offers a refurbished 8GB iPod touch for just $149. It’s unclear whether iPod discounts are simply a way of clearing stocks of older models or part of a new strategy that will see current-generation, now cheaper, models co-exist along the refreshed, likely more pricier lineup.